Updated 09/29/2008 07:29 AM
Mayor Ruberto makes last minute effort for state health insurance programs
PITTSFIELD, M.A. -- Pittsfield Mayor James Ruberto is making a last ditch effort to switch municipal workers to a state-run health insurance system by its October 1st deadline.
The Berkshire Eagle reports Ruberto will meet with representatives of the city's 17 public employee unions tomorrow.
Talks between the city and the unions about joining the state-run Group Insurance Commission began in August, but broke off suddenly on Tuesday.
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Both sides are blaming each other for leaving nearly $3 million in savings the city would realize by joining the GIC on the bargaining table.
The main sticking point is the Public Employee Committee's position that the city pays for Medicare Plan B, but that health plan is currently not subsidized by the city and the GIC.
The unions want the city to pay 85 percent of Medicare Plan B, which would leave municipal employees responsible for the remaining 15 percent.